A team of students from Loughborough College this week compete for the chance to be crowned national Champion of Champions competition winners at Barclays’ Head Offices in London – one of only five college teams from across the country to reach the final.
The Prepare for Work employability programme final takes place on Friday 12 June 2015 and will see Beki Hughes, Nathaniel Kolawole and Salman Kameshki showcase an event they devised and ran at the College in May to help their fellow students develop their employability skills.
Neelum Savania, Employment Advisor at Loughborough College and local Business Connector Malcolm Heaven supported the team in staging their idea for a group of around 50 Loughborough College students, who then voted on special key pads.
Nathaniel Kolawole, 17, who lives in Loughborough, said: “We decided a key area in getting employed is the interview and that the best way to give advice on that was to show the good – and the bad.
“I played an over-confident candidate who arrived unprepared, who dressed and spoke inappropriately for an interview and used the completely wrong body language.
“Beki was a very shy candidate who did not really sell the qualities and experience she had to offer while Salman hit the right balance in how he looked, behaved in the interview and his advance preparation, including bringing a great CV along with him. The audience almost unanimously recognised this and reflected it on their keypads.
“Everyone said how great our idea was, how it really got the important ideas across and in a way that kept the audience interested.
“Hopefully when it comes to going on to University, where I plan to study technology, and a career this preparation will be invaluable for me.
“I was shocked to hear we had made the final and I feel a bit nervous – but we are all working hard to prepare for the big day and I do feel very proud of what we’ve done.”
Salman Kameshki, 18 and also from Loughborough, added: ‘Using Quizdom voting really helped the students get involved in our event. I think that live interaction drove home the message.
“But despite the success of our event when we were told that we were finalists, with only four other colleges getting through, I thought, ‘I didn’t see that coming.’
“It is exciting to think we will be at Barclays HQ in Canary Wharf on Friday – and we’ve worked so hard I am confident for our team’s chances.
“This is a great end to my course at Loughborough College. They have been so supportive since I arrived from Bahrein and really helped me with my studies and with making the transition from the Middle East. I have been offered a place at Loughborough University to study Architectural Engineering and Design Management next year and I am really looking forward to it.”
For the final member of the team Beki Hughes, who is 15 and lives in Shepshed, this will be the first ever visit to London: “When we did our presentation in College everyone was really into it, which was pretty cool – and that has really helped boost my confidence for this Friday.
“I have never been to London, so that is quite a big deal in itself, but to reach this final out of everyone across the UK feels such an achievement.
“My Dad is very proud – and he has a job interview this week, so I’ve been able to give him some really good advice.”
Neelum Savania, who will be accompanying the students on Friday, said: “It is so refreshing to see diverse students come together and raise their own and others’ aspirations. Beki, Nathaniel and Salman have exceeded expectation and have gone the extra mile. We at Loughborough College are extremely proud of the work they have done and wish them all the best in London for the final.”
The panel of Judges who will select the winning team includes Chris Hearn, Head of Education at Barclays and Sylvia Perrins, CEO of The National Skills Academy for Financial Services.
Chris Hearn said: “As Barclays is committed to helping young people develop the skills and the confidence they need to succeed, I am delighted to be joining the judging panel for the competition final. It’s a great platform for these young people to showcase their achievements.”
Sylvia Perrins added: “It’s inspiring to have received so many promising entries. It’s great to see that this part of the programme has not only encouraged students to put their skills to work but also to help other students prepare for the world of work.”
Launched in 2014, Prepare for Work is a free employability programme for further education colleges, developed by the National Skills Academy for Financial Services and supported by Barclays as part of their 5 Million Young Futures commitment. The programme also touches on financial aspects of employment and raises awareness of entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Pictured: (l to r) Loughborough College's Salman Kameshki, Neelum Savania, Beki Hughes and Nathaniel Kolawole